Drill steel centralizer



Nov. 4, 1941. H. GILLERSTROM 7 2,261,464

- DRILL STEEL CENTRALIZER Filed July 17, 1939 INVENTOR. /d 141107762" GL'ZZerstrom,

ATTORNEY.

Patented Nov. 4, 1941 2,261,464 I DRILL ISTEEL CENTRALIZER Hilmer Gillerstrom, South Pasadena, Calif., as-

signor to Independent Pneumatic Tool 00., Chicago, Ill'., a corporation of Delaware Application July 17, 1939, Serial No. 284,941

2 Claims.

My invention relates to a device for centralizing the drill steel in starting the drilling operation and the objects of my invention are:

First, to provide a drill steel centralizer of this class which automatically drops down out of the way when the front head of the drill reaches a certain point and does not require further centralization;

Second, to provide a drill steel centralizer of this class which supports and keeps the drill steel in alignment so that the hole can be drilled at the exact point desired;

Third, to provide a drill steel centralizer of this class which is applicable for use in connection for various types of pneumatic drills;

Fourth, to provide a drill steel centralizer of this class which automatically attains a position clear of the front head of the drill which permits the front end or front head of the drill to pass over the centralizer and thus obtains greater depth of the drill hole;

Fifth, to provide a drill steel centralizer of this class which is particularly adapted for use in connection with the guide drill mounting for pneumatic drills;

Sixth, to provide a drill steel centralizer of this class which requires no watching, leaving the operator free to attend to the drilling engine and other immediate duties incident to the drilling; and

Seventh, to provide a drill steel centralizer of this class which is very simple and economical of construction, automatic in its action, easy to install, easy to connect with the drill steel, efficient in its action and which will not readily deteriorate or get out of order.

With these and other objects in view as will appear hereinafter, my invention consists of certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts and portions as will be hereinafter described in detail and particularly set forth in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawing and to the characters of reference thereon which form a part of this application in which:

Figure l is a side elevational view of my drill steel centralizer shown in position for centralizing the drill and shown positioned on a guide shell, shown by dash lines, as showing by dash lines the position of the front head of the drill in position for automatically engaging the drill steel centralizer and releasing it so that it moves in an out-of-the-way position; Fig. 2 is a similar view of the drill steel centralizer front head of the drill and guide shell mounting but showing the centralizer in its released position from the drill steel anddown out of the way showing the front head ofthe drill passed over the same; Fig. 3 is a top or plan view of the drill steel centralizer and its support'showin'g the drill steel fragmentarily and Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken from the line 4-4 of Fig. 1 showing some of the parts in elevation to facilitate the illustration,

Similar characters of reference refer to similar parts andportions throughout the several views of the. drawing.

The drill steel engaging member I, drill steel engaging member support 2, bolt 3, detent members 4 and 5, connecting bracket 6, bolt I and supporting bolts 8 and 9 constitute the principal parts of my drill steel centralizer.

The drill steel engaging member I is a bifurcated revoluble member with two extended wing portions Ia. and lb extending in opposite directionsand with two opposed substantially semicircular lug portions Id and Ic which are adapted to fit over the drill steel S when they are in the drill steel supporting position, as shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 4 of the drawing. These members I0 and Id are spaced a sufficient distance apart so that they freely clear the drill steel S when this member I is turned to a position substantially at right angles to that shown in Figs. 1 and 3 of the drawing. This turning of the member I is accomplished by the front headof the drill engaging the wing member Ib as the drill steel moves inwardly into the hole being drilled. It will be here noted that the member I is constructed so that it is reversible so that either the wing member Ia or the wing member lb may be engaged by the front head of the drill. This member I is provided with a curved crown portion Ie to permit the tilting of the member I relatively to the drill steel S. It is also provided with an extended journal lug portion I shown best in Fig. 4 of the drawing, which is revolubly mounted in a bore 211 in the drill engaging support 2 and supported on shoulders lg on the upper side of said member 2. This journal member If is provided with an annular channel Ih which is adapted to receive the end 341. of the bolt 3 which is screw threaded into the side wall of the support 2 at 3b, which bolt is provided with a head 30 to facilitate its turning. This bolt is for the purpose of holding the member I in the member 2 while it revolves and when it is turned. upside down. This member If is also provided with a small recess Ii in which is mounted a detent is supported by a plug 4b mounted in a lug-portion 2b extending from the one side of the member 2, all as shown best in Fig. 4 of the drawing. Thi member 2 is also provided with an extended shank and journal portion 20, which shank portion 20 is provided with a transverse bore 211 in which is mounted a journal bolt 1. This bolt 1 is rigidly secured in the extended end of a bracket 6 by means of a key la and nuts lb and 1c and washer 1d and 1e, all as shown best in Fig. 4 of the drawing. This bolt I is also provided with a small recess 1e which is adapted to receive the detent 5 which is backed by a spring 5a., which spring is backed by a plug 517, all mounted in a bore 2e in the member 2 and is screw threaded at its outer end for receiving the plug 5b, thus providing a, spring detent for holding the member 2 in upright position as shown best in Fig. 1 of the drawing, but permitting its release by pressure of the front head of the drill while passing over the centralizer. The bracket 6 may be secured to any stationary member relatively to the drill. In this case it is shown secured to the guide shell mounting of the drill by means of bolts 8 and 9, there being two of these bolts and nuts positioned on opposite sides for rigidly securing the bracket 6 in position.

The operation of my drill steel centralizer is substantially as follows:

The bracket is secured to the guide shell mounting of the drill. The drill steeel is positioned in the front head of the drill. The shank member 2 is shifted from a position shown in Fig. 2 to the upright position shown in Fig. 1 with the member I substantially at right angles to its position shown in Fig. 1 so that the space between the members lo and Id receives the drill steel. The detent 5 holds the members 2 in upright position. Then the member l is turned to the position shown in Fig. 1 and the detent 4 holds it in position, thus the drill steel is held in centralized position. As soon as the front head of the drill reaches a position so that it engages the wing lb of the member I, the member I is shifted and the detent 4 released, and as soon as the member reaches a position by the movement of the front head, so that the space between the members lo and Id provides clearance for the drill steel, the front head then forces the member 2 downwardly carrying the member I with it as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawing and permits the front head of the drill to pass over, as shown by dash lines in Fig. 2 of the drawing.

Though I have shown and described a particular construction, combination and arrangement of parts and portions, I do not wish to be limited to this particular construction, combination and arrangement, but desire to include in the scope of my invention the construction, combination and arrangement substantially as set forth in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Paten 1s:

1. In a drill steel centralizer of the clam described, the combination of a connecting bracket, a drill steel member support pivotally connected with said bracket, a spring detent tending to hold said support in upright position on said bracket, a drill steel engaging member revolubly mounted on said support, spring detent means in connectionwith said support and said drill steel engaging member tending to hold said drill steel engaging member in certain relative position to said support, said drill steel engaging member including a pair of spaced opposed semi-circular lug members arranged to engage the opposite sides of the drill steel, and extended wing means in opposed relation adapted to be engaged by the front head of the drill for shifting said drill engaging member.

2. In a drill steel centralizer of the class described, the combination of a connecting bracket, a drill steel member support pivotally connected with said bracket, a spring detent tending to hold said support in upright position on said bracket, a drill steel engaging member revolubly mounted on said support, spring detent means in connection with said support and said drill steel engaging member tending to hold said drill steel engaging member in certain relative position to said support, said drill steel engaging member including a pair of spaced opposed semi-circular lug members arranged to engage the opposite sides of the drill steel, extended wing means in opposed relation adapted to be engaged by the front'head of the drill for shifting said drill engaging member, and means for holding said drill steel engaging member'in certain revoluble relation with its support.

HILMER GILLERS'I'ROM. 

